Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is observed annually every November as a nationwide celebration dedicated to honoring the histories, cultures, and enduring contributions of Native American and Alaska Native peoples. It serves as a reminder that the first peoples of this land continue to shape the United States through their stewardship of the environment, languages and cultural traditions, artistic and intellectual achievements, ongoing advocacy for sovereignty and justice, and much more. The month encourages communities to deepen their understanding of Native nations’ past and present, recognizing both the beauty of Indigenous cultures and the resilience required to preserve them in the face of centuries of displacement, assimilation policies, and systemic issues. 

The origins of this national observance trace back to the early twentieth century, when Native leaders and allies began advocating for formal recognition. Arthur C. Parker, a historian of the Cattaraugus Seneca Reservation, helped launch the Society of American Indians in 1911 and encouraged early observances through youth organizations. In 1915, Red Fox James of the Blackfeet Nation traveled thousands of miles on horseback to gather state endorsements for a national day honoring Native peoples, a powerful symbol of determination even though no federal proclamation followed. 

Several states created their own observances in the following decades, and by 1976, federal recognition began with President Gerald Ford's proclamation of Native American Awareness Week. Momentum continued through the 1980s with multiple presidential proclamations of American Indian Weeks and culminated in 1990 when President George H. W. Bush signed a joint resolution establishing November as Native American Heritage Month. 

The significance of Native American Heritage Month extends far beyond commemoration. It is an opportunity to deepen public understanding of the sovereignty, resilience, and cultural richness of Native nations. Native peoples have shaped the United States in countless ways. The month highlights the wide range of Native cultures, languages, and traditions, each with its own stories, ceremonies, and ways of relating to the land. In Kansas, celebrations may center around the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas, the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska, the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, and other nations whose homelands and trade routes shaped the Great Plains. To learn more about the federally recognized tribes in Kansas, visit the Kansas Office of Indian Affairs. 

Native American Heritage Month also invites reflection on the complex and often painful history between Tribal Nations and the federal government, including broken treaties, forced displacement, assimilation policies, and ongoing struggles for self-determination. Contemporary issues such as tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, and cultural preservation remain central topics during the month’s educational efforts. The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) crisis, or the ongoing issue of disproportionate levels of violence faced by Indigenous people in the United States, is also a pertinent topic of discussion. According to the National Institute of Justice, more than four in five American Indian and Alaska Native peoples have reported experiencing violence in their lifetime. The estimate includes sexual violence, intimate partner violence, stalking, and psychological aggression. Addressing this reality and working to make violence less common in Indigenous communities is an important aspect of honoring Native American Heritage. By engaging with Native voices and perspectives, communities can better understand both the historical foundations and present-day realities of Native life in the United States. 

At the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX (OCRTIX), we believe that when people feel a true sense of belonging, they are better able to reach their full potential and succeed. We are committed to uplifting each Jayhawk by fostering a culture where each person is seen, heard, and valued. Honoring a variety of identities, cultures, and observances allows us to make the University of Kansas a safer and more welcoming space for everyone.